Around 11,000 runners are about to flood downtown Hartford this Saturday for the 33rd annual Eversource Hartford Marathon, a bump of about 10% from last year’s 10,000 total. This isn’t just another weekend race, folks, it’s a full-on takeover, and if you’re not running, you’re gonna want to pay attention to the roads.
This Is More Than Just a Marathon, It’s a Runner’s Party
This year’s event isn’t just the main marathon. We’re talking a full lineup: the classic half-marathon, a Charity 5K tearing through downtown Hartford, and a Team 26.2 Relay where crews of two to five runners split up the full marathon course. Talk about options! As of Friday morning, the marathon itself and the Team 26.2 Relay were already completely sold out. The half-marathon and the Charity 5K were getting super close to capacity, too. That’s a ton of folks ready to hit the pavement!
The Course Is Set: Iconic Views and Tough Miles
The course, which got a redesign back in 2023, is ready for action. The half-marathon route, clocking in at 13.1 miles, will split from the main marathon course roughly 8 miles in, sending those runners on a scenic run along the river. Both the marathon and half-marathon crews will kick off right in front of the Capitol building. They’ll push through West Hartford, East Hartford, and South Windsor before smashing that finish line in Hartford’s Bushnell Park.
Wheelchair athletes get the jump, starting at 7:57 a.m. sharp in front of the state Capitol. Then it’s go time for the marathon, half-marathon, and Team 26.2 Relay runners at 8 a.m. The Charity 5K crew starts at 8:10 a.m. from Capitol Avenue, just east of the Bushnell Theater. For the little legends, the Hartford Marathon Foundation FitKids Run gets going at 9:30 a.m. at Elm Street on the east end of Bushnell Park.
Runners are in for some history, too. The first two miles cruise past the houses of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Once they hit West Hartford, it’s past the University of St. Joseph, into Elizabeth Park, and then back towards downtown Hartford to cross the Founders Bridge into East Hartford. They’ll run the paved trails of Great River Park, hit up East Hartford residential spots, then power down historic Main Street in South Windsor before looping back. The final push? Back across the Founders Bridge into Hartford, finishing under the epic Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch. You can scope out the whole map online if you’re curious!
Heads Up, Drivers: Road Closures Are No Joke
Alright, if you’re not running, you need to know about these road closures. State road exit closures start at 7:30 a.m. this Saturday and they ain’t messing around:
* **I-84 East**: Exit 61A (old Exit 48A & 48B) for Asylum St./Capitol Ave. will be shut down until 11 a.m. and 10 a.m., respectively.
* **I-84 West**: Exit 63A (old Exit 54) for Founders Bridge gets locked up until 2 p.m.
* **I-84 West**: Exit 62A (old Exit 50) for Main Street is closed until 11 a.m.
* **I-91 South**: Exit 32B for Trumbull Street will be closed until 11 a.m.
* **I-91 South**: Exit 31 for State Street is also on the closure list.
So, if you’re heading to Hartford this weekend, plan your routes, give yourself extra time, and maybe even find a spot to cheer on the runners. This Saturday is going to be packed with energy!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply